Robert Copeland (footballer)

Robert Copeland
Copeland at a training session in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Robert Copeland
Nickname(s)	Bushie
Date of birth	(1981-05-26) 26 May 1981 (age 43)
Place of birth	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Original team(s)	Northern Eagles AFC
Draft	66th selection, 2001 Rookie Draft
Height	187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	85 kg (187 lb)
Position(s)	Half back
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2001–2008	Brisbane Lions	143 (39)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2008.
Career highlights
Premiership player: 2001, 2003
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Robert Copeland (born 26 May 1981) is a former Australian Football League footballer for the Brisbane Lions and former captain of the Aspley hornets in the NEAFL. He is a dual premiership winner (2001, 2003) and was delisted in 2008.

Overview

Copeland was recruited through the 2001 Rookie Draft (QLD Zone) from the Northern Eagles and was elevated to the Senior list on 10 May that year after Michael Voss was placed on the long-term injury list. He made his debut for the Brisbane Lions in Round 9, 2001 against Adelaide. Copeland was regularly employed in a tagging role. Copeland's tagging job on Collingwood Captain, Nathan Buckley in the 2003 AFL Grand Final was considered a decisive influence in the Brisbane Lions win.

Copeland played 143 games for the Lions, usually as an automatic selection. However in September 2008 Copeland was delisted due to recurrent injuries and inconsistent performance. ^[1] After being overlooked in the 2008 draft Copeland was chosen to be the inaugural captain for new first division QAFL club Aspley Hornets. ^{[2] [3]}

Statistics

^[4]

Legend

G	Goals	K	Kicks	D	Disposals	T	Tackles
B	Behinds	H	Handballs	M	Marks

Season	Team	No.	Games	Totals							Averages (per game)
				G	B	K	H	D	M	T	G	B	K	H	D	M	T
2001	Brisbane Lions	30	17	7	4	93	27	120	37	26	0.4	0.2	5.5	1.6	7.1	2.2	1.5
2002	Brisbane Lions	30	17	3	3	74	36	110	25	32	0.2	0.2	4.4	2.1	6.5	1.5	1.9
2003	Brisbane Lions	30	18	3	2	143	61	204	63	49	0.2	0.1	7.9	3.4	11.3	3.5	2.7
2004	Brisbane Lions	30	25	2	3	179	93	272	80	66	0.1	0.1	7.2	3.7	10.9	3.2	2.6
2005	Brisbane Lions	30	15	4	0	88	54	142	31	59	0.3	0.0	5.9	3.6	9.5	2.1	3.9
2006	Brisbane Lions	30	17	1	0	134	85	219	65	38	0.1	0.0	7.9	5.0	12.9	3.8	2.2
2007	Brisbane Lions	30	21	15	10	140	94	234	70	49	0.7	0.5	6.7	4.5	11.1	3.3	2.3
2008	Brisbane Lions	30	13	4	3	68	57	125	34	39	0.3	0.2	5.2	4.4	9.6	2.6	3.0
Career			143	39	25	919	507	1426	405	358	0.3	0.2	6.4	3.5	10.0	2.8	2.5

Achievements

• Brisbane Lions Rising Star Nomination 2001
• Brisbane Lions Best First Year Player 2001
• Brisbane Lions Premiership Player 2001
• Brisbane Lions Premiership Player 2003

References

1. "Brisbane Lions discard premiership player Copeland". AFL Website. 19 September 2008. Archived from the original on 22 September 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
2. AFL Queensland: Copeland to inspire new club Aspley
3. Couriermail.com: Brisbane Lions stars Jamie Charman, Daniel Merrett to play practice match for Aspley
4. Robert Copeland's player profile at AFL Tables

External links

• Robert Copeland at the Brisbane Lions website
• Robert Copeland's playing statistics from AFL Tables